Improving Economy Blamed for Increase in Greenhouse Gases

The EPA has released the 17th annual U.S. greenhouse gas inventory. After dropping for two years during the recession, the latest report shows overall emissions in 2010 increased by 3.2 percent from the previous year.

In its accompany notes, the EPA explained, “The increase from 2009 to 2010 was primarily due to an increase in economic output resulting in an increase in energy consumption across all sectors, and much warmer summer conditions resulting in an increase in electricity demand for air conditioning that was generated primarily by combusting coal and natural gas.”

Total emissions of the six main greenhouse gases in 2010 were equivalent to 6,822 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. These gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride. The report indicates that overall emissions have grown by over 10 percent from 1990 to 2010.

This post was authored by GLLF staff attorney Emily Kelchen.